Young's Double Slit Experiment: Is it Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Hamiltonian mechanics to Young's double slit experiment, particularly focusing on the constraints involved when a particle passes through the slits. Participants explore whether a constrained Hamiltonian can be effectively utilized in this context and how it relates to Feynman path integrals when paths are restricted to specific surfaces.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express difficulty in describing Young's double slit experiment using Hamiltonian mechanics due to the constraint that particles must pass through the slits.
  • One participant questions how the experiment can be described without employing Hamiltonian mechanics.
  • Another participant raises the idea of using constrained Hamiltonians, suggesting that it may lead to issues such as having H=0, which could complicate the analysis.
  • There is a proposal to consider Feynman paths in the context of constraints, specifically when paths are limited to a defined surface, such as a 4-sphere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the applicability of Hamiltonian mechanics to the experiment, with multiple competing views on the feasibility and implications of using constrained Hamiltonians and Feynman paths.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions of constrained Hamiltonians and the implications of path constraints on the analysis of the experiment, but these remain unresolved.

Heidi
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I think that it is harder to describe the two slits Young experiment in terms of hamiltonian because the particle has a constraint: to pass through the slits. is it possible?
thanks.
 
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I think that it is harder to describe the two slits Young experiment in terms of hamiltonian because the particle has a constraint: to pass through the slits. is it possible? thanks.
 
my question is about the constrained hamiltonian if it is used. i do not says it does not exist. we may have H=0 with constrained hamiltonians so problems raise.
more generally can we use the feynman paths when the paths are constrained to live on a given surface (say a 4 sphere)
 

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